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| Mourning brooches |
When he dropped dead
And she started antidepressants
When he was dead
And she still cried and cried
When he was gone
And she stopped feeling haunted
When he left for good
And she rested easier
When he wasn't coming home again
And she wore his flannel shirt and jeans
When he was truly gone
And she received his letter
When he never returned
And she put his letter with the locks of his hair
When she began to forget his face and form
And stopped wearing his blue jeans
When she put her tears away
For Sherry's Midweek Motif ~ Watershed Moments
Copyright © 2015 S.L.Chast
"When she began to forget his face and form"...so very poignant yet it's reality...I love the title....
ReplyDeleteThere is a battle for the one that is left behind between clinging on and letting go. It might be a long battle if the death is sudden however even if this is not the case there is still that desire to keep some memories always. The tears are not as bad as the odd "things" that you want to keep. Needless to say I have been in this position.
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant and captivating piece. Often a person has to move on and forget the face and form of their past life.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully penned.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Somehow I feel that he left her before he "left."
ReplyDeleteWe just heard of a dear aunt's death last night - so the tears are fresh.
So glad you are recovering well Susan.
It is a journey. Much longer than the poem itself. The letting go, even though we know we never will truly. There will always be a string that follows, but it does become easier.
ReplyDeleteThis seems such a powerful piece, said in a simple way, with simple words.
ReplyDeleteThe image and the poem are so poignant, as is the image of her wearing his shirt and jeans. Grief is such a long hard valley that we move through. It takes strength to "put her tears away". What a true watershed moment this is, Susan. And thanks for writing to the prompt. I loved this poem.
ReplyDeleteThis very honest poem speaks of deep grief, Susan. The letter & then the actual death would be very difficult! I do know that it takes a while to move on, and the moving on is step by step. And I am glad to hear that the tears are now put away.
ReplyDeleteYou've really captured all those different moments of loss here, the whole journey.
ReplyDeleteThis is put together beautifully, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad, but I'm glad the tears get put away eventually.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're recovering well Susan. Nice to have you back.
Hmmm, this is very profound, albeit straightforward and economical with language. A little masterpiece!
ReplyDeleteA heartfelt description of the stages of grief. It helps others to prepare and those who are going through it.
ReplyDeleteAn important poem !
It is deep and sad....!
ReplyDeleteSo it is, a journey to finally realizing we can be happy with our self, forgetting face, form and tears of the past ~
ReplyDeleteHope you are well Susan ~
Grace
Many here have used the word "poignant" --it is such a wonderful description--this is a wonderful piece Susan
ReplyDeleteSometimes memories dampen hopes. Accepting the adverse moments can help the recuperating process. Great lines Susan!
ReplyDeleteHank
So good that she could stop wearing his jeans and wear her own...change is hard...
ReplyDeleteLoss is hard to cope with and the process can be very slow.
ReplyDeleteThis is so emotive, Susan.
ReplyDeleteKaren Blixen (writing as Isak Dinesen) says: "The cure for anything is salt water: Sweat, tears or the sea." Your poem reminded me of this, Susan, especially starting from the title, the punning "Water shed" . A wonderful commentary on loss and water shed...
ReplyDelete